The Hinesville Gators 10U girls’ soccer team won the Georgia Rec Cup title in their age group Saturday. Shown are, from back to front, assistant coach Joshua Ortiz, Ariana Dumadag, Lloya Stevens, Isabella Martinez, Angel Oldham, Athena Dumadag and coach Debbie Robinson. In front are Makayla Robinson, Madison Burriss and Melaja Alford. Not pictured: Nia Binning and Morgan Thomas.

The Hinesville 10U Gator girls’ soccer team charged through the semifinals May 12-13 and swept their long time rivals, the Lady Jaguars, this past Saturday to win the Georgia Recreation Cup 10U championship game held in Fayetteville.“I can’t believe it. It was just the most fantastic thing,” Gator girls coach Debbie Robinson said. Robinson said the Lady Jaguars have been their toughest competitor the past few seasons, adding that the South DeKalb team beat her squad last year.“But we have a different team this year,” Robinson said. “We have a few new girls, and I have a new assistant coach and these girls have come so far in such a short amount of time.”The coach said she was impressed with her team throughout the tournament, which lasted two weekends. “Starting goalie Isabella Martinez and relief goalie Melaja Alford only conceded two goals the entire tournament,” Robinson said. “The girls played five games in the tournament, the last four of which were shutouts.”In the semifinals, the girls gave up the two goals to the Tyrone County Panthers but still won, 5-2. After that, the girls swept their opponents while pouring in 25 goals in the next three games.On Saturday, the girls knew they would face their long-time rival and were ready to challenge the Jaguars.Robinson said the girls battled throughout the first half. At the break, neither team had scored a goal. She said they gave the girls a pep-talk, and within a few seconds of the second half, Gator striker Makayla Robinson knocked in a goal off an assist by Ariana Dumadag. Just a few moments later, Robinson hit paydirt again, scoring her second goal on an assist from Lloya Stevens.With a 2-0 lead, the coach said her team stepped up their game.“Melaja Alford and Athena Dumadag were tough on defense, making it hard for the Jaguars to penetrate towards our goal,” Robinson said. “The Gator bench consisted of only two substitutes, Maddie Burris and Angel Oldham, who came in and gave 100 percent on the field. It was just amazing.”After the 2-0 win, the girls now set their sights on the Outback Shamrock Cup this weekend in Savannah.“We should do well at that tournament,” Robinson said. “I’m just so proud of these girls, and my assistant coach Joshua Ortiz has just been an asset for this team.”